SULPHUR SPRINGS, Texas - A strong run of tournament play came to a halt for the East Columbus All-Stars this weekend as they dropped two straight games in the 2006 Dixie Angels (ages 9-10) Softball World Series.

The North Carolina champions fell in Saturday’s opener to Atoka, Tenn., 5-0, and lost to Jones County, Ga., 7-5 on Sunday.

East Columbus had the bases loaded in the final inning when the Georgia squad managed to record the last out.

“We were down 7-1 and battled back to get right back in it,” said East Columbus coach Jimmy Jackson. “We had our chances. It was a tough loss, but we couldn’t be prouder of these girls and everything they have accomplished this year.”

The East Columbus team, coached by Jackson, Buddy Smith and Paula Smith, is the youngest team from Columbus County to ever compete in Dixie World Series play and the first Columbus County Angels team to win the North Carolina championship. (See photo on 2B of the printed edition)

The team won the District 9 tournament at Burgaw with a 5-0 and then claimed the state championship in Lincoln County with a 5-0 mark to earn the coveted World Series trip to Texas.

The team departed on their trip home today.

Members of the state champion Dixie Angels team are Magan Soles, Jamie Pridgen, Darian Formyduval, Lexus Dudley, Jasmine Jacobs, Mackaela Smith, Kendra Bowen, Alina Freeman, Monica Revels, Brianna Graham, Danielle Hyatt and Kaitlin Jackson (See photo on 2B of the printed edition).